Comet Hyakutake

space · comets · 1996

Surprise discovery. Hyakutake was found on January 31, 1996, by a Japanese amateur astronomer. Nobody expected such a bright comet to appear that year.

Super close approach. On March 25, 1996, the comet came within about 15 million kilometers of Earth. This was one of the closest cometary approaches in the previous 200 years.

Bright and enormous. The comet shined so brightly that it reached zero magnitude, meaning it was visible even from places with light pollution. Its tail stretched across nearly 80 degrees of the sky.

Seen worldwide. People all around the globe could spot Hyakutake with just their eyes, no telescope needed. It was a rare treat that inspired wonder and amazement.

Stole the spotlight. Another famous comet called Hale-Bopp was heading toward the inner Solar System at the same time, but Hyakutake's surprise brightness briefly made it the star of the show.